The OP PGP overall aim is to achieve the 3 aspects of growth – sustainability, smartification, inclusivity. Promoting smart growth through the achievement of specific objectives in Priority Axis 1 and 4 is at the basis of the programming document.

PA 1: Strengthening research, technological development and innovation focuses on promoting business investment in R&I, developing links and synergies between enterprises, research and development centres and the higher education sector. In particular it promotes investment in product and service development, technology transfer, social innovation, eco-innovation, public service applications, demand stimulation, networking, clusters and open innovation through smart specialisation, and supporting technological and applied research, pilot lines, early product validation actions, advanced manufacturing capabilities and first production.

PA 1 is generally focused on R&D and innovation without specific focus on space technologies. However, emerging technologies (i.e. in the space sector) have been identified in RIS3 as key priorities, which are also central to a number of Prague-based innovative companies working in applied research.

Linking ERDF funds with these new emerging enabling technologies is a now strong need for the City of Prague. Efforts towards this directions are supported by new initiatives in cooperation with the EU Space Agency (i.e. creation of an innovation centre for space technologies application).

NRW's innovation strategy combines the state's research, lead market and technology transfer strategy in a common approach and focuses on selected fields. The idea is to focus in NRW on those growth areas that are of particular relevance to the state's economy and population and in which both the companies and research institutions exhibit obvious strengths and potential.

A major goal of the innovation strategy is the dissemination of knowledge and experiences. The transfer strategy systematically promotes the exchange of experience and wants to make lessons learned for start-ups (start-up initiative), companies (patent validation, consulting and innovation voucher) and for the people (communication) available.

R,D&I must be dedicated to sustainable solutions to societal challenges: climate protection/acclimation; resource-efficiency/raw materials; safe/healthy food; safe, clean, efficient energy; smart/ecofriendly mobility; health/well-being; safety; participation and social cohesion in course of societal and structural change.

The regional innovation strategy highlights the importance of cross-sectional key enabling technologies including photonics for all application areas and in addition, space technologies are recognised as an important area of activity for NRW's industrial sector of mechanical and plant engineering. The policy instrument underestimates the potential of photonics in space technologies for the development of products to address societal challenges.

The overall objective of Priority Axis 2 “Improve Brittany's economic performance through the support of research, innovation and enterprises” is to strengthen the competitiveness and the economic performance of Brittany.

Targeted actions clearly identify the governance of the RIS3 (Action 2.2.4) as a key element to:

- improve technology transfer between research centres and companies (Action 2.2.1), the support to emerging of both innovative industrial projects (2.2.2) and collaborative industrial projects (2.2.3);

- Reinforce the competitiveness of Breton R&D in the European Research Area (ERA);

- Improve the innovation capacity of Breton SMEs;

- Increase the production potential of Breton SMEs.

However, the selected policy instrument does not currently focus on the specific funding of photonics. This is unfortunate, given that a significant number of local players have interest to develop their activities in this domain. Indeed, there is much research and innovation potential to build on. Furthermore, the potential of photonics in space technologies for the development of products to address societal challenges should also be addressed by the policy. There is currently limited focus in the policy instrument on how to support a link up between KETs and, for example, environmental or health problems.

The policy instrument is the England OP 2014-20 / Priority Axis 1: Promoting Research and Innovation (North East). Within Priority 1b several measures are relevant to  STEPHANIE.

This measure focuses on developing links and synergies between enterprises, research and development centres and the Higher Education sector, in particular promoting investment in product and service development, technology transfer, social innovation, eco-innovation, public service applications, demand stimulation, networking, clusters and open innovation through smart specialisation. This alos supports technological and applied research, pilot lines, early product validation actions, advance manufacturing capabilities and first production, in particular in key enabling technologies (such as photonics) and diffusion of general purpose technologies. The policy also seeks to increase investment in research and innovation by SMEs, in sectors and technologies identified through smart specialisation.

The expected result is an increase in number of SMEs engaged in knowledge exchange, collaborative and contract research and innovation with research institutions, public institutions or large enterprisesto help them bring new products and processes to market. The policy instrument needs to be improved thanks to practical examples of how this can work in reality, and in an innovative sector such as space technology and photonics. The socio/eco innovation target of prodcuts should also be strengthened.

The policy instrument objective is to Strengthen RTD and Innovation (Axis 2).

STEPHANIE addresses priority 1b aiming to strengthen research, technological development and innovation by promoting R&I investments in business, developing links and synergies between businesses, research centres and the development and education sector.

Within Priority 1b measures that the project hopes to address are: Strengthening RDI capacity of research organisations in areas useful for SMEs; Increase regional innovation through increased collaboration between research centres, universities and innovative companies; Increase processes, innovative products and services through intensification of open innovation and RDI in business

The action also enables participation of Walloon stakeholders in EU programmes and initiatives. It is a key part of rooting the S3 process in the Region and connected to the issue of combining and making better use of funding.

The policy requires a clearer focus on innovation and market exploitation, and KETs (including photonics). There is a strong need to consolidate links between the scientific and economic domains, as well as strengthening collaboration among key players of the technological value chain. Actions financed in the framework of axis 2 are part of the thematic clusters policy, which is a main focus for the region. This shows how efforts in these directions are a priority for the region, though there is still much room for improvement.

Andalusian regional operational programme ERDF 2014-2020 has 10 objectives. Thematic Objective 1 (IP 1b) aims to strengthening research, technological development and innovation.

This axis, with 429.85 million (14.78%) of total budget, focuses on 2 pillars:

- investment in R&D infrastructure (97.3 million euros);

- finance for R&D projects, both in the business environment (of special importance in this context) at research level, with 332 million euros. Technology transfer from institutions to enterprises should be improved (over 52 million euros forthis priority).

The following action lines will be implemented:

• Financing R,D&I for enterprises

• Support for creation and consolidation of start-ups, encouraging creation of spin-off related to the priorities of Andalusia RIS3, enhancing the intensity of innovation and the result of innovative efforts.

• Connecting centers, infrastructure and existing facilities with the private sector.

• Consolidation of R&D activities, in private and public sectors, for developing key enabling technologies (photonics among these), improving relationship between research results and industrial impact.

The policy does not currently directly focus on quadruple helix initiatives. This is an extremely interesting concept to be integrated to the policy: collaboration is encouraged, but quadruple helix would be an important step forward in terms of supporting marketable products. The focus on societal challenges could also be reinforced.